Singing the Blues

“Boom Boom” is a song that was written by the American blues singer and guitarist John Lee Hooker. It was first recorded in 1961 and became a blues standard. The song charted on both the R&B and pop charts. The song is one of Hooker's most identifiable and enduring songs.

“Call It Stormy Monday (But Tuesday Is Just as Bad”” is a song that was written and recorded by the American blues electric guitar pioneer T-Bone Walker. This is a slow twelve-bar blues performed in the West Coast blues style and became a chart hit in 1948. The song has become one of the most popular blues standards and is also found in the repertoires of many jazz, soul, pop, and rock performers. The song is included in the Grammy, Rock and Roll, and Blues Foundation Halls of Fame as well as the U.S. Library of Congress' National Recording Registry.

“Cross Road Blues” is a song that was written by the American blues artist Robert Johnson. He performed the song solo with his vocal and acoustic slide guitar in the Delta Blues style. It is part of the Robert Johnson mythology that refers to the place where he sold his soul to the Devil in exchange for musical genius. Mostly based on the folklore of the American South.

“Down Hearted Blues” is a blues song that was composed by musician Lovie Austin with lyrics by the American jazz singer Alberta Hunter. American blues singer Bessie Smith recorded the song, accompanied on the piano by Clarence Williams. Released as a single, it was a great success, selling 780,000 copies in the first six months. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame identified the song as one of the 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and in 2006 Smith’s recording received a Grammy Hall of Fame Award.

“Dust My Broom” is a blues song originally recorded as “I Believe I’ll Dust My Broom” by the American blues artist Robert Johnson in 1936. Johnson’s guitar playing features an early use of a boogie rhythm pattern. In 1951 the American blues guitarist, singer, songwriter, and bandleader Elmore James recorded the song and made it into a classic, and it became a blues standard.

“Goodnight Irene” is a 20th-century folk standard that was first recorded by the American blues musician Huddie “Lead Belly” Ledbetter in 1933."Irene" remained a staple of Lead Belly's performances throughout the 1930s and 1940s. In 2002, Lead Belly's Library of Congress recording received a Grammy Hall of Fame Award.

“Have You Ever Loved a Woman” is a blues song that was written by Billy Myler. The song was first recorded by the American blues artist Freddie King in 1960. Released as a single, it charted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and is featured in King’s album Freddy King Sings.

“Smokestack Lightning” is a blues song that was recorded by the American blues singer, guitarist, and harmonica player Howlin’ Wolf in 1956. It became one of his most popular and influential songs. The song is based on earlier blues songs, and numerous artists later interpreted it. The recording charted on the Billboard R&B chart. It is featured on the albums Moanin’ In the Moonlight and The Howlin’ Wolf Album.

“The Thrill is Gone” is a slow minor-key blues song. It was written by West Coast blues musician Roy Hawkins and Rick Darnell. Originally recorded by Hawkins, the song became a blues standard when it was recorded by the American blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter B.B. King. It became one of his signature songs and charted on the Billboard Best Selling Soul Singles and Billboard Hot 1900 charts. B.B. King got the Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and a Grammy Hall of Fame award.